Electric output socket



Nov. 7, 1939. T. E. RAYMOND ELECTRIC OUTPUT SOCKET Filed June 25, 1958 Patented Nov. 7, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIQE Application June 25,

1 Claim.

This invention relates to an electric output socket and has for the primary object the provision of means on the face plate of an electric output socket for guiding a plug into proper position for insertion in the socket when visibility is bad or in the dark and which will permit the insertion of the plug or the contacts thereof in the socket with ease and quickness and without danger of the operator being subjected to electric shock.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists in certain novel features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts to be hereinafter more fully described and claimed.

For a complete understanding of my invention, reference is to be had to the following description and accompanying drawing, in which Figure 1 is a perspective view showing an electric output socket constructed in accordance with my invention and illustrating a plug positioned for being guided into the socket through the use of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a view in transverse section taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 1 looking in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Referring in detail to the drawing, the numeral 5 indicates in entirety an electric output socket of the double type which may be mounted in a wall or floor and includes the usual face plate t. The sockets are indicated by the character 1 with the usual contact-receiving slots 8.

The electric plug to be used in connection with the electric output socket is indicated by the character 9 and includes the usual prong type contacts Hi. The body of the plug between the contacts II] is provided with a notch i l.

Formed on the face plate 6 and traversing the sockets l is a bar 12, the width of which is slightly less than the distance between the contacts it of the plug. The bar separates the slots 8 of the sockets and the under face of the bar is shaped to extend into and against the usual sloping wall of the sockets. The purpose of the bar I2 is to guide the plug 9 into position so that the contacts thereof will engage with the sloping walls of the socket and on further movement of 1938, Serial No. 215,883

and bringing both hand together may readily l0 position the plug so that the prong contacts thereof straddle the bar. With a further movement of the plug relative to the bar and inwardly towards the socket the contacts will be caused to enter the slots 8 of the socket to bring 15 about electrical connection of the plug with the socket. The guide bar being located on the face plate and across the socket, as shown in the drawing, and when grasped by a person for the purpose of guiding the plug in proper position for insertion in the socket will in no way endanger the person to an electric shock.

The notch H of the plug 9 receives the bar when the contacts of said plug straddle the bar so that the contacts may readily enter the socket and also tend to prevent the plug from wobbling on the bar.

It is believed that the foregoing description, when taken in connection with the drawing will fully set forth the construction and advantages of this invention to those skilled in the art to which such device relates, so that further oletailed description will not be required.

What I claim is:

In an'electric wall socket for use with a double pronged plug and having pairs of vertically spaced prong-receiving slots therein adjacent opposite ends thereof, a guide bar extending across the front of said socket intermediate the slots of said pairs for sliding of the prongs along the same in straddling relation thereto to register said prongs with selected pairs of said slots, said bar having rearwardly inclined webs extending from the lower edge thereof to the tops of the lower slots of said pairs for guiding the prongs under said bar to said lower slots.

THOMAS E. RAYMOND. 

